Pathology
The physicians behind your lab results and biopsy diagnoses.
What does a pathologist do?
Pathologists are physicians who make diagnoses from tissue and lab specimens: examining biopsies under the microscope, interpreting lab tests, and identifying what a sample does or doesn't show. When another doctor tells you what a biopsy found, a pathologist made that call and wrote the report it came from.
Like radiologists, pathologists mostly work behind the scenes; you'll rarely book one directly. You'll meet their work instead: in your patient portal, in the report your provider walks you through, and in the diagnosis that shapes your care plan.
What you can do with a pathology report
Two practical rights worth knowing. First, you're entitled to copies of your pathology reports, and keeping them matters in a community where families move often and records need to follow. Second, second opinions on pathology are normal and routine: slides and blocks can be sent to another pathologist or institution for review, and the request usually goes through the practice that did the biopsy. Your treating clinician is the right person to walk you through what a report means; this page is general education.
Pathology questions aren't emergencies, but the symptoms that lead to biopsies sometimes are. For severe or sudden symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Don't search a directory.
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Frequently asked
Will I ever meet my pathologist?
Usually not; pathologists work with specimens rather than in exam rooms, and their findings reach you through the provider who ordered the test. A few subspecialty situations are exceptions, but for most people the pathologist is the unseen expert behind the report.
Can I get a second opinion on a biopsy?
Yes, and it's routine. Slides and tissue blocks can be sent to another pathologist or institution for review; ask the practice that performed the biopsy how to request it. Your treating clinician can help you decide whether a second review would be useful.
How do I get copies of my pathology reports?
Ask the ordering provider's office or the lab; reports are part of your medical record and many appear in patient portals. Keeping copies helps any time you change providers or move.
Are you a pathology practice?
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About our medical review process
The editorial health content on this page was reviewed by Myra A. Jones BSN, RN, CCM, a registered nurse, for medical accuracy and adherence to current clinical standards as of July 7, 2026. Provider listings are directory data from the public NPPES registry and provider submissions; they are not part of clinical review. ProviderQuoHealth’s health content is reviewed by licensed healthcare professionals before publication and re-checked when the content materially changes.
Important: Not Medical Advice
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you have about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you have read on ProviderQuoHealth. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.